EMG and NCS

What Are EMG and Nerve Conduction Tests?

These tests help doctors understand how well your nerves and muscles are working.

• Nerve conduction studies (NCS) check how quickly signals move along your nerves
• Electromyography (EMG) looks at the electrical activity inside your muscles

They are commonly used to find out the cause of symptoms like:

• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Weakness in the legs or arms
• Muscle cramps or spasms
• Shooting pains or loss of coordination

For Nerve Conduction Studies:

• Small sensors (electrodes) are placed on your skin
• A mild electrical pulse stimulates your nerve
• The sensors record how fast and strong the signal is

You may feel a brief tapping or tingling. It’s not painful but can be felt.

For EMG:

• A very fine needle is inserted into a few muscles
• You may be asked to move the muscle slightly while the signal is recorded
• It can feel like a pinprick or mild ache but the test is brief and safe

Most tests take 30 to 60 minutes.

How to Prepare

• Wear loose-fitting or short-sleeved clothes
• Avoid putting lotions or oils on the skin before your test
• Take medications as normal unless directed otherwise
• Let us know if you are on blood thinners or have a pacemaker

After the Test

• You can go home or return to work/school straight away
• There may be slight soreness where the needle was inserted, but this goes away quickly
• The results will be analysed and sent to your referring doctor